Ronnie O’Sullivan will face previous foe John Higgins within the first spherical of the 2025 Masters snooker invitational after the draw was made on Sunday.
As soon as once more, the highest 16 gamers from the official world rankings are being invited to the distinguished match on the Alexandra Palace in London.
Reigning champion O’Sullivan will bid for a record-extending ninth Masters title, along with his first hurdle to beat representing a repeat of the 1995, 2005, and 2006 finals.
With the 2025 Masters snooker draw going down in the course of the UK Championship remaining between Judd Trump and Barry Hawkins, it was ironic to see the duo paired collectively once more.
Hawkins trails Trump 5-3 after the opening session of their title-deciding contest in York, the place the primary Triple Crown piece of silverware is up for grabs.
The Masters all the time throws up ties that might be worthy of finals, and among the many different blockbuster battles to stay up for is the fixture between Mark Williams and Ding Junhui.
Each former champions of the occasion and already winners on the 2024/25 calendar, it guarantees to be a barnstorming affair within the English capital metropolis.
Ali Carter, who got here simply brief final season when he was edged out to glory by O’Sullivan, will face three-time champion Mark Selby.
World champion Kyren Wilson’s first take a look at will probably be in opposition to Zhang Anda, whereas Mark Allen entertains one of many two debutants in Si Jiahui.
The opposite first-timer will probably be Chris Wakelin, whose reward for a two-year interval through which he has damaged into the elite echelons is a gathering with the struggling Luca Brecel.
Lagging method down the provisional end-of-season rankings, this might doubtlessly be the latter’s final look within the Masters for some time.
Gary Wilson challenges 2015 Masters champion Shaun Murphy within the remaining tie of the draw.
This marketing campaign’s version of the Masters takes place from January twelfth to nineteenth.
2025 Masters snooker draw
Ronnie O’Sullivan vs John Higgins
Shaun Murphy vs Gary Wilson
Mark Allen vs Si Jiahui
Mark Selby vs Ali Carter
Judd Trump vs Barry Hawkins
Mark Williams vs Ding Junhui
Luca Brecel vs Chris Wakelin
Kyren Wilson vs Zhang Anda
Featured picture credit score: WST